Pharmaceutical, chemical, and related manufacturing plants are under increased scrutiny for the potential impact of their products or waste water on the environment. Pesticides are a major example. But recently, the European Commission added three pharmaceutical compounds to its pollutant watch list, citing them as potential risk to the safety of surface water.

"Fish Embryo Toxicity (FET) testing has been developed for environmental and hazard classification applications. The test utilizes the embryo of the Zebrafish and exposes it to various compounds to observe potential toxic effects, thus making FET an ideal method to use in monitoring or investigating environmental cases," said Steven Richter, Ph.D., president and scientific director of Microtest Laboratories — and former FDA official.

The FET test is an approved OECD (Organization for Economic Co-Operative Development) guideline, published in August, 2013.

"Microtest Laboratories is deeply experienced in fish embryo toxicity testing. We are particularly well-suited to undertake FET testing due to the expertise we've developed in creating our Zebrafish Embryo Toxicity (ZET) test, which we've been providing as a preliminary screening method in the biocompatibility testing of medical devices and polymers.

"Zebrafish embryos are extensively used in drug development studies due to their transparent embryos and fast development times. The Zebrafish is a well-studied and characterized organism, and ideal as an animal testing model," Richter noted.

Microtest Laboratories is a leader in testing services and contract manufacturing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. Based in Agawam, Massachusetts, USA, the company provides expertise and flexible processes that enhance product safety and security, accelerate time to market, and minimize supply chain disruption. For more information, visit http://www.microtestlabs.com or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free at 1-800-631-1680. Follow Microtest Laboratories on Twitter @MicrotestLabs at http://twitter.com/MicrotestLabs.